CLARKSTON, Wash. — Asotin County firefighters and other fire agencies battled a 50-acre wildfire near Clarkston yesterday.
According to Asotin County Fire District 1, on July 24 crews were dispatched to a reported wildland fire around 2 p.m. It was located approximately six miles west of Clarkston. When firefighters arrived, they encountered a wind-driven blaze rapidly advancing into the Asotin Creek corridor off Peola Road.
Firefighters employed two bulldozers, two helicopters, numerous wildland engines and local landowners to combat the fire. Lightning in the early evening temporarily grounded the aircraft but also brought some rain that helped suppress the blaze. By 8 p.m., crews had managed to contain and surround the fire.
Firefighters said they will continue to monitor the area for hotspots. There have been no reported injuries, and the cause of the fire has been determined.
Assisting with the firefighting efforts were Lewiston, Clarkston, Wheatland, Whitman County Districts 12 and 14, Moscow, Garfield County Fire, the Forest Service and the Washington Department of Natural Resources.
